Disposable food pouch

ABSTRACT

A disposable food pouch is disclosed herein. The disposable food pouch can include a unitary blank of paper extending a lateral blank width and a longitudinal blank width between edges. Upper and lower surfaces can be defined on opposite sides of the unitary blank. Quantities of adhesive can be applied to the unitary blank. A plurality of fold lines can extend across the unitary blank and define panels. The panels can be folded about fold lines to be brought in confronting relationship. The quantities of adhesive can fix the panels together. A layer of moisture impregnable coating can be disposed on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface and covers at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of fold lines.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a container for items such as food andmore specifically to a disposable container.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,792 discloses a SANDWICH POUCH. The sandwich pouchis formed from a unitary blank of Kraft paper or other easilybiodegradable, flexible sheet material. The blank is of generallyrectangular form and includes a plurality of generally rectangularpanels, joined side by side and foldably secured together by generallytransversely extending fold lines. The ends of a pair of middle panelsare each provided with a generally rectangular end seal flap. The blankis also provided with a pair of longitudinally extending tear lineswhich permit the pouch formed from the blank to be torn open at eitheror both ends to gain access to its contents. The pouch is opened bybending back an upper front closure panel for insertion of a foodproduct such as a hamburger.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description that may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure.

SUMMARY

A disposable food pouch can include a unitary blank of paper extending alateral blank width along a first axis between a first lateral edge anda second lateral edge. The unitary blank of paper can also extend alongitudinal blank width along a second axis between a firstlongitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. An upper surface canbe defined on a first side of the unitary blank. A lower surface can bedefined on a second side of the unitary blank opposite the first side. Afirst quantity of adhesive can be disposed along the first longitudinaledge on the upper surface and extend along the second axis a firstadhesive width. A second quantity of adhesive can be disposed along thesecond longitudinal edge on the upper surface and extend along thesecond axis a second adhesive width. A third quantity of adhesive can bedisposed along the first longitudinal edge on the lower surface andextend along the second axis a third adhesive width. A fourth quantityof adhesive can be disposed along the second longitudinal edge on thelower surface and extend along the second axis a fourth adhesive width.The first quantity of adhesive and the second quantity of adhesive canextend further along the first axis than the third quantity of adhesiveand the fourth quantity of adhesive. A plurality of fold lines canextend parallel to the second axis and be evenly spaced from one anotheralong the first axis. A first panel can be defined by the unitary blankbetween the first lateral edge and a first fold line of the plurality offold lines. A second panel can be defined by the unitary blank betweenthe first fold line of the plurality of fold lines and a second foldline of the plurality of fold lines. A third panel can be defined by theunitary blank between the second fold line of the plurality of foldlines and a third fold line of the plurality of fold lines. A fourthpanel can be defined by the unitary blank between the third fold line ofthe plurality of fold lines and the second lateral edge. The first paneland the second panel can be folded about the first fold line such thatfirst and second portions of the upper surface are brought inconfronting relationship. The third panel and the fourth panel can befolded about the third fold line such that third and fourth portions ofthe upper surface are brought in confronting relationship. The secondpanel and the third panel can be foldable about the second fold linesuch that first and second portions of the lower surface are brought inconfronting relationship. The first panel and the second panel can befixed together with the first quantity of adhesive and the secondquantity of adhesive. The third panel and the fourth panel can be fixedtogether with the first quantity of adhesive and the second quantity ofadhesive. The second panel and the third panel can be fixed togetherwith the third quantity of adhesive and the fourth quantity of adhesive.A layer of moisture impregnable coating is disposed on at least one ofthe upper surface and the lower surface and covers at least a portion ofat least one of the plurality of fold lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description set forth below references the followingdrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable food pouch incorporating anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a unitary blank for forming a disposable foodpouch incorporating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the unitary blank shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the unitary blank after the formation of foldlines;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section through section lines 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure illustrating a coating pattern;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure illustrating a coating pattern; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure illustrating a coating pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A plurality of different embodiments of the present disclosure is shownin the Figures of the application. Similar features are shown in thevarious embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar features acrossdifferent embodiments have been numbered with a common reference numeraland have been differentiated by an alphabetic suffix. Also, to enhanceconsistency, the structures in any particular drawing share the samealphabetic suffix even if a particular feature is shown in less than allembodiments. Similar features are structured similarly, operatesimilarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwise indicated bythe drawings or this specification. Furthermore, particular features ofone embodiment can replace corresponding features in another embodimentor can supplement other embodiments unless otherwise indicated by thedrawings or this specification.

The present disclosure, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodimentsdescribed below, can provide a disposable food pouch. The pouch can beused to hold food items like chips, popcorn, grapes and can catchcrumbs, drips, moisture, and oils. After the food is consumed, surfacearea of the pouch can be used to wipe fingers or lips clean. Forexample, the pouch can be enclosed around the debris within the pouchand the exterior of the enclosed pouch can be used as a napkin.Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be used to inhibit stainson clothing and fabric.

A disposable food pouch 10 can include a unitary blank 12 of paperextending a lateral blank width 14 along a first axis 16 between a firstlateral edge 18 and a second lateral edge 20. The unitary blank 12 ofpaper can also extend a longitudinal blank width 22 along a second axis24 between a first longitudinal edge 26 and a second longitudinal edge28. An upper surface 30 can be defined on a first side of the unitaryblank 12. A lower surface 32 can be defined on a second side of theunitary blank 12 opposite the first side.

A first quantity 34 of adhesive can be disposed along the firstlongitudinal edge 26 on the upper surface 30 and extend along the secondaxis 24 a first adhesive width 36. A second quantity 38 of adhesive canbe disposed along the second longitudinal edge 28 on the upper surface30 and extend along the second axis 24 a second adhesive width 40. Asshown in FIG. 3, a third quantity 42 of adhesive can be disposed alongthe first longitudinal edge 26 on the lower surface 32 and extend alongthe second axis 24 a third adhesive width 44. A fourth quantity 46 ofadhesive can be disposed along the second longitudinal edge 28 on thelower surface 32 and extend along the second axis 24 a fourth adhesivewidth 48. The first quantity 34 of adhesive and the second quantity 38of adhesive can extend further along the first axis 16 than the thirdquantity 42 of adhesive and the fourth quantity 46 of adhesive. Thefirst quantity 34 of adhesive and the second quantity 38 of adhesive canextend respective full lengths of the lateral blank width 14. Theexemplary first quantity 34 of adhesive and the second quantity 38 ofadhesive can extend continuously between the first lateral edge 18 andthe second lateral edge 20.

A plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60 can extend parallel to the secondaxis 24 and be evenly spaced from one another along the first axis 16. Afirst panel 50 can be defined by the unitary blank 12 between the firstlateral edge 18 and a first fold line 52 of the plurality of fold lines52, 56, 60. A second panel 54 can be defined by the unitary blank 12between the first fold line 52 of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60and a second fold line 56 of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60. Athird panel 58 can be defined by the unitary blank 12 between the secondfold line 56 of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60 and a third foldline 60 of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60. A fourth panel 62 canbe defined by the unitary blank 12 between the third fold line 60 of theplurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60 and the second lateral edge 20.

The first panel 50 and the second panel 54 can be folded about the firstfold line 52 such that first and second portions 64, 66 of the uppersurface 30 are brought in confronting relationship. The third panel 58and the fourth panel 62 can be folded about the third fold line 60 suchthat third and fourth portions 68, 70 of the upper surface 30 arebrought in confronting relationship. As shown in FIG. 3, the secondpanel 54 and the third panel 58 can be foldable about the second foldline 56 such that first and second portions 72, 74 of the lower surface32 are brought in confronting relationship.

The first panel 50 and the second panel 54 can be fixed together withthe first quantity 34 of adhesive and the second quantity 38 ofadhesive. The third panel 58 and the fourth panel 62 can be fixedtogether with the first quantity 34 of adhesive and the second quantity38 of adhesive. The second panel 54 and the third panel 58 can be fixedtogether with the third quantity 42 of adhesive and the fourth quantity46 of adhesive.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the unitary blank 12 after the formation of theplurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60. FIG. 4 shows the unitary blank 12before the quantities 34, 38, 42, 46 of adhesive have been utilized tofix the ends of the panels 50, 54, 58, 62 together. After the ends ofthe panels 50, 54, 58, 62 have been fixed together, the pouch 10 can beflat and rectangular in shape. A user can place fingers between thevarious panels 50, 54, 60, 62 and draw the pouch 10 into a generallycircular shape. As the pouch 10 is changed into a generally circularshape, the edges 18 and 20 can move closer together and the edges 26 and28 can change from being substantially straight to being substantiallyarcuate. As the pouch 10 is changed into a generally circular shape, thefold lines 52, 56, 60 can change from being substantially straight tobeing substantially arcuate. The fold line 56 can make the mostpronounced change from being substantially straight to beingsubstantially arcuate. As shown in FIG. 5, the pouch 10 can define avolume 76 for receiving food items.

The unitary blank 12 can be formed from paper such as paper used to formtissue paper, facial tissue, napkins, bathroom tissue, wrapping tissue,and household towels. The unitary blank 12 can have multiple plies ofpaper layers. The unitary blank 12 can be formed from any paper in therange of basis weight of 14-18 grams per square meter to 20-24 grams persquare meter. The unitary blank 12 can be formed from non-white paper.Indicia can be printed on the unitary blank 12, such as textualinformation, logos, characters, or any other kind of indicia.

A layer of moisture impregnable coating is disposed on at least one ofthe upper surface 30 and the lower surface 32. The layer of moistureimpregnable coating covers at least a portion of at least one of theplurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary blank 12 awith respective layers of moisture impregnable coating disposed on bothof the upper surface 30 a and the lower surface 32 a. A first layer 78 aof moisture impregnable coating is disposed on the upper surface 30 aand second layer 80 a of moisture impregnable coating is disposed on thelower surface 32 a. The layers 78 a, 80 a were applied before fold lines52 a, 56 a, 60 a were formed.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary blank 12 b with a layer 78 b of moistureimpregnable coating disposed on only one of the upper surface 30 b. Thelayer 78 b was applied after fold lines 52 b, 56 b, 60 b were formed.The layer of moisture impregnable coating on any particular layer can bedisposed on less than all of the respective surface or on all of therespective surface. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary blank 12 c with a layer 78c of moisture impregnable coating disposed in a circle pattern on theupper surface 30 c.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to anexemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated forcarrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosurewill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims. Further, the “present disclosure” as that term is used in thisdocument is what is claimed in the claims of this document. The right toclaim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein asother present disclosures in other patent documents is herebyunconditionally reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable food pouch comprising: a unitaryblank of paper extending a lateral blank width along a first axisbetween a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge and extending alongitudinal blank width along a second axis between a firstlongitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge; an upper surfacedefined on a first side of said unitary blank; a lower surface definedon a second side of said unitary blank opposite said first side; a firstquantity of adhesive disposed along said first longitudinal edge on saidupper surface and extending along said second axis a first adhesivewidth; a second quantity of adhesive disposed along said secondlongitudinal edge on said upper surface and extending along said secondaxis a second adhesive width; a third quantity of adhesive disposedalong said first longitudinal edge on said lower surface and extendingalong said second axis a third adhesive width; a fourth quantity ofadhesive disposed along said second longitudinal edge on said lowersurface and extending along said second axis a fourth adhesive width;wherein said first quantity of adhesive and said second quantity ofadhesive extend further along said first axis than said third quantityof adhesive and said fourth quantity of adhesive; a plurality of foldlines extending parallel to said second axis and evenly spaced from oneanother along said first axis; a first panel defined by said unitaryblank between said first lateral edge and a first fold line of saidplurality of fold lines; a second panel defined by said unitary blankbetween the first fold line of said plurality of fold lines and a secondfold line of said plurality of fold lines; a third panel defined by saidunitary blank between the second fold line of said plurality of foldlines and a third fold line of said plurality of fold lines; a fourthpanel defined by said unitary blank between the third fold line of saidplurality of fold lines and said second lateral edge; wherein said firstpanel and said second panel are folded about said first fold line suchthat first and second portions of said upper surface are brought inconfronting relationship; wherein said third panel and said fourth panelare folded about said third fold line such that third and fourthportions of said upper surface are brought in confronting relationship;wherein said second panel and said third panel are foldable about saidsecond fold line such that first and second portions of said lowersurface are brought in confronting relationship; wherein said firstpanel and said second panel are fixed together with said first quantityof adhesive and said second quantity of adhesive; wherein said thirdpanel and said fourth panel are fixed together with said first quantityof adhesive and said second quantity of adhesive; wherein said secondpanel and said third panel are fixed together with said third quantityof adhesive and said fourth quantity of adhesive; and a layer ofmoisture impregnable coating disposed on at least one of said uppersurface and said lower surface and covering at least a portion of atleast one of said plurality of fold lines.
 2. The disposable food pouchof claim 1 wherein said layer of moisture impregnable coating is furtherdefined as disposed on only one of said upper surface and said lowersurface.
 3. The disposable food pouch of claim 1 wherein said layer ofmoisture impregnable coating is further defined as disposed on both ofsaid upper surface and said lower surface.
 4. The disposable food pouchof claim 1 wherein said layer of moisture impregnable coating is furtherdefined as disposed on less than all of said at least one of said uppersurface and said lower surface.
 5. The disposable food pouch of claim 4wherein said layer of moisture impregnable coating is further defined asdisposed in a circle pattern on said at least one of said upper surfaceand said lower surface.
 6. The disposable food pouch of claim 1 whereinsaid first quantity of adhesive and said second quantity of adhesiveextend respective full lengths of said lateral blank width.
 7. Thedisposable food pouch of claim 1 wherein said first quantity of adhesiveand said second quantity of adhesive extend continuously between saidfirst lateral edge and said second lateral edge.